Holmleigh Primary School Review 2026: Community-Centred Learning with Specialist Speech and Language Provision

Holmleigh Primary School stands out as one of three schools in Hackney with specialist Speech and Language provision, housing a dedicated Language Resource for ten children with speech, language and communication difficulties. This state-funded community primary school in Stoke Newington serves children aged 3–11, rated Good by Ofsted in its January 2025 inspection. Founded in 1970, Holmleigh underwent a significant transformation in September 2025, merging with Sir Thomas Abney School to become a two-form entry primary while retaining the Holmleigh name and relocating to the former Sir Thomas Abney site on Fairholt Road. With 224 pupils on roll, nursery provision from age three, and a capacity of 240, the school combines a vibrant multicultural community with strong academic results that exceed national averages. Headteacher Margaret Boateng, who joined as a newly qualified teacher in 2003 and was appointed head in January 2023, leads a school built on six core values: respectful and kind, resilient with integrity, honest and trusting.

Holmleigh describes itself as a happy, healthy, high-achieving, inclusive and ambitious school at the heart of its community. The ethos centres on ensuring every child is valued, supported and inspired to achieve their very best in an environment that fosters academic success alongside character development. Strong partnerships with families are central to the school's approach, helping every child to flourish through collaborative relationships between home and school.

Founded in 1970 with new buildings on Dunsmure Road, Holmleigh began as a junior mixed and infants school. The roll grew from 147 pupils in 1989 to 206 by 1993. The school's most significant milestone came in September 2025 with the merger that saw Holmleigh expand from one to two forms of entry, welcoming 18 new staff members and absorbing the Sir Thomas Abney community. This expansion also involved the school relocating to the Fairholt Road site while preserving the Holmleigh identity and incorporating the Speech and Language provision previously offered at Sir Thomas Abney.

Margaret Boateng has shaped the school's direction since becoming headteacher in 2023, having worked her way through the ranks from NQT in 2003 to Assistant Headteacher in 2013. She collaborates closely with the senior leadership team, the school's improvement partner and governors to set strategic aims and actively monitor and improve the quality of teaching and learning. Under her leadership, Holmleigh has established high expectations for learning outcomes across the board while maintaining its reputation as a nurturing environment where children thrive academically and socially.

The school celebrates its wonderfully diverse inner-city character, with initiatives such as International Day showcasing the cultural richness within the community. Pupils demonstrate happiness and well-being, thriving in an environment where diversity is respected and celebrated. The atmosphere is described as safe, nurturing and secure, with a culture that supports children to become passionate and motivated lifelong learners.

Holmleigh delivers an ambitious curriculum aligned with national expectations from Nursery through Year 6. The school's most recent Key Stage 2 results demonstrate strong performance, with 85% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, significantly exceeding the national average of 62%. In reading, 92% reached the expected standard with 33% achieving the high score, while in maths 79% met expectations and 17% achieved the higher standard. Grammar, punctuation and spelling showed particularly strong outcomes, with 92% at the expected level and 46% at the higher standard. Writing saw 33% of pupils achieving greater depth.

These headline figures place Holmleigh in line with national averages overall, ranking 3,928th nationally and 27th locally within Hackney. The school achieves its strongest results in reading and GPS, with average scaled scores of 107 and 108 respectively, compared to 105 in maths. While the science outcomes at 67% expected standard trail the national average of 82%, the overall picture shows a school delivering solid results for its diverse cohort.

The 2025 Ofsted inspection rated the quality of education as Good across all areas, including early years provision, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Inspectors noted that the curriculum supports progressive knowledge-building, though some subjects are still being fully implemented to provide adequate practice opportunities for mastering key concepts, particularly in early reading components. The report highlighted that leaders at all levels should receive sufficient training to check the impact of their work with consistent precision.

The school's specialist Speech and Language Resource represents a significant aspect of its provision, supporting ten children with speech, language and communication difficulties within the mainstream setting. The resource provides targeted specialist support while enabling pupils to access the full curriculum alongside their peers.

Educational trips enhance real-world engagement across year groups. Nursery children visit art exhibitions, while older pupils participate in international trips related to subjects such as robotics. Breakfast clubs and after-school activities extend the school day, with culture capital initiatives complementing the core and foundation curriculum.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a secure environment for all students. The school works closely with families to identify and support individual needs, creating an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated rather than merely tolerated.

Reception entry to Holmleigh is highly competitive and managed through the London-wide eAdmissions system via Hackney Education. The 15 January deadline applies for Reception 2026 applications. With the school now operating as a two-form entry, 60 Reception places are available each year, double the previous 30-place intake following the merger.

The most recent admissions data shows 27 offers made against 60 applications, producing a subscription rate of 2.22:1, meaning the school received more than twice as many applications as available places. All first preference applicants who received an offer secured their place, indicating that Holmleigh is able to allocate to families who rank it as their top choice when space permits. The furthest successful applicant lived 1.16 miles from the school, suggesting a reasonably tight catchment in an area with strong demand for places.

This oversubscription places Holmleigh among the more competitive primaries in Stoke Newington, though competition is typical for well-regarded community schools in inner London. Families living within half a mile have historically had good prospects of securing places, but catchment areas shift annually depending on application patterns and sibling numbers. The merger and expansion to two-form entry may ease pressure over time as the enlarged cohort settles, though demand remains robust.

Hackney Education applies its standard community school oversubscription criteria, typically prioritising looked after children, children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school, siblings, and then distance from home to school. The school's Language Resource places are allocated through a separate SEND process for children with diagnosed speech, language and communication needs.

Nursery admissions are handled directly by the school rather than through the LA. Prospective families should contact senior administrator Jane Poole on 020 8802 7420 or email JPoole@holmleigh.hackney.sch.uk to obtain an application form. Nursery places do not guarantee progression to Reception; all families must apply through the standard Reception admissions round.

School tours are available for prospective parents by contacting the school office to arrange an appointment. Given the competitive nature of admissions and the school's recent expansion, early engagement with both the nursery and Reception application processes is advisable for families keen to secure a place.

Holmleigh Primary School offers a compelling proposition for families in Stoke Newington seeking a vibrant, inclusive community school with solid academic results and specialist Speech and Language expertise. The 2025 Good Ofsted rating, following previous Outstanding judgements, confirms the school maintains high standards while managing a complex merger and site relocation. Academic outcomes consistently exceed national benchmarks in reading, writing and maths, with particular strengths in reading and grammar, punctuation and spelling.

The school's greatest asset is its genuine commitment to inclusion and diversity, visible in its curriculum, its International Day celebrations, and its role as one of three Hackney schools offering specialist Speech and Language provision. Families with children who have communication needs will find this dual-strength offer especially valuable, allowing access to specialist support within a mainstream setting.

Margaret Boateng's long tenure at the school—from NQT to headteacher over two decades—brings continuity and deep institutional knowledge, particularly valuable during the recent merger. The expansion to two-form entry represents both opportunity and challenge; more families can now access Holmleigh, but the school is still embedding new staff, systems and the enlarged cohort following the September 2025 changes.

The competitive admissions picture reflects the school's popularity, with subscription running at 2.22:1 and the furthest offer at 1.16 miles. Families within a mile have reasonable prospects, though proximity remains crucial. The nursery route offers early engagement but no guaranteed progression, so strategic application planning is essential.

Holmleigh suits families who value a warm, multicultural community environment, strong pastoral care, and a school deeply embedded in its local area. The combination of inclusive ethos, above-average results, specialist SEND provision, and experienced leadership makes this a sound choice for Stoke Newington families, provided they live within the realistic catchment zone. The school's trajectory through expansion and merger suggests resilience and ambition, positioning it well for continued success in its new two-form configuration.

Is Holmleigh Primary School a good school?

Yes, Holmleigh Primary School is a good school. Ofsted rated it Good in January 2025 across all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. Academic results exceed national averages, with 85% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined compared to 62% nationally. The school's specialist Speech and Language provision, inclusive ethos and experienced leadership team contribute to a positive learning environment where children thrive.

How do I apply to Holmleigh Primary School?

Reception applications to Holmleigh Primary School are made through the London-wide eAdmissions system at www.eadmissions.org.uk, coordinated by Hackney Education. The closing date for Reception 2026 entry is 15 January 2026. The school now admits 60 children each year as a two-form entry primary. Nursery admissions are handled separately by the school; contact senior administrator Jane Poole on 020 8802 7420 or email JPoole@holmleigh.hackney.sch.uk for a nursery application form. In-year applications for other year groups are also made through Hackney Education.

What is the catchment area for Holmleigh Primary School?

The furthest offer distance for Holmleigh Primary School was 1.16 miles in the most recent admissions round. Catchment areas vary each year depending on sibling numbers and application patterns. The school is oversubscribed with a subscription rate of 2.22:1, receiving more than twice as many applications as available places. Families living closest to the school have the strongest prospects under Hackney's distance-based allocation criteria, which apply after priority categories such as looked after children, children with EHCPs naming the school, and siblings.

Does Holmleigh Primary School have a nursery?

Yes, Holmleigh Primary School has nursery provision for children aged three and above. The nursery handles its own admissions separately from the main Reception entry process. Prospective parents should contact Jane Poole, senior administrator, on 020 8802 7420 or email JPoole@holmleigh.hackney.sch.uk to obtain an application form. Nursery attendance does not guarantee progression to Reception; all families must apply through Hackney Education's standard Reception admissions process by the 15 January deadline.

What makes Holmleigh Primary School different from other Hackney primaries?

Holmleigh is one of only three primary schools in Hackney with specialist Speech and Language provision, housing a dedicated Language Resource for ten children with speech, language and communication difficulties. The school underwent a significant transformation in September 2025, merging with Sir Thomas Abney School to expand from one to two forms of entry while retaining the Holmleigh name and values. Headteacher Margaret Boateng joined as an NQT in 2003 and has worked through the ranks, bringing deep institutional knowledge and continuity of leadership. The school's vibrant multicultural community is celebrated through initiatives such as International Day.